Old rivals gunning for place in final

Expect the old rivalry between Sliema Wanderers and Floriana to rush back to the fore tonight as these two juggernauts of Maltese football cross swords in the first semi-final of the 2005-2006 U*Bet FA Trophy this evening (kick-off 7.30 p.m.).

An Old-Firm derby has been missing from the local football menu for three months after Floriana failed to make the cut to the Championship Pool and were embroiled in a four-way relegation fight with Pietà Hotspurs, Mosta and Hamrun Spartans.

By contrast, Sliema fought hard to cling on to their position as champions of Maltese football for the fourth season on the trot but had to bow to the superior challenge produced by Birkirkara, the new Premier League winners.

Not only that but Sliema were also in danger of losing second place to the resurgent Marsaxlokk before a 2-1 success over Birkirkara on the final day of the league trek last weekend pushed them one point above the southerners.

Sliema's face-saving act came only two days after Floriana had salvaged their own pride in dramatic style, battling back from a 3-0 deficit to draw their relegation decider with Mosta 3-3 and thus secure their Premier League status.

The long-standing animosity between these clubs apart, the events of last weekend look to have sharpened the edge of today's semi-final as both Sliema and Floriana are determined to end their season on a sweet note.

Robert Arrigo, the demanding president of Sliema Wanderers, craves success in the Knock-Out as a way of making amends for their disappointment at missing out on the league title.

"The winning of the trophy would bring redemption for our failure to retain the league title," Arrigo told The Times.

"Victory in the pre-season Euro Challenge Cup and second place in the league might seem like a dismal return for Sliema after three consecutive Premier League titles.

"However, I believe that we can still close this season on a high by going all the way in the Trophy. The KO is an important competition and Sliema Wanderers remain determined to win as many honours as possible so as to increase our record collection of cups."

Sliema coach Edward Aquilina must effect at least one change from the team he chose for last Sunday's game against Birkirkara. Ivan Woods, undoubtedly one of the hardest-working players in the Sliema side, is ruled out by a one-match suspension after he collected his fourth yellow card last weekend.

Malta midfielder Orosco Anonam is recovering from a knee operation but Stefan Giglio is expected to be fit.

By finishing as runners-up to Birkirkara, Sliema Wanderers have already ensured themselves a place in next season's UEFA Cup, irrespective of whether their quest for the FA Trophy is successful or not. Although Sliema's guaranteed entry into the UEFA Cup relieved a big chunk of pressure off their shoulders, Arrigo insists that their on-going quest for success means that his clan are always under pressure.

"Our second place in the standings has ended the uncertainty about our UEFA Cup chances but there is still pressure on our team, pressure to win," Arrigo remarked. "That said, I know that our players know how to handle big games and their experience should boost our chances of winning the trophy."

Going by the overall performance of the four semi-finalists in the Premier League, Sliema were lucky to have avoided Birkirkara and Hibs, both of whom finished well above Floriana in the standings.

The Sliema president was keen to wave away suggestions that the draw favoured his team. "In a Knock-Out competition, there is no such thing as a good or bad draw," Arrigo stressed.

"Our opponents are as difficult as Birkirkara and Hibs. Floriana will be determined to make the most of their presence in the last four of the competition but we're equally adamant to stop them from achieving their target at the expense of Sliema."

Jan Artz, the outspoken coach of Floriana, is relishing the prospect of ending a see-saw season with a bang.

"We're definitely more relaxed now after making sure of retaining our Premier League status but from a personal standpoint, the pressure is even higher because we have a good chance of reaching the final of the FA Trophy," Artz said.

"Floriana are only 90 minutes from a major final and we're going to do our best to get there."

Now in the final weeks of his fruitful loan spell with Floriana, forward Adrian Mifsud cannot line up against Sliema, his permanent employers, today. Mifsud must serve suspension after he incurred his fourth yellow card in the 3-3 draw with Mosta.

Euro chance

Malta defender Ian Ciantar, another player who is due to return to Sliema at the end of the season, has recovered from injury and is in line to earn a place in Floriana's squad.

Coming a week after their exhilarating fightback against Mosta, Floriana must be high on confidence and motivated by the knowledge that a passage to the final could yielded the extra bonus of a place in the UEFA Cup if Birkirkara beat Hibs tomorrow or if the Greens win the competition outright.

"The self-belief among the players is high," Artz said. "The team's fightback in the last game against Mosta was exceptional. At half-time, the morale was rock-bottom but I was still optimistic. I know how to speak the players' language and my talk during the interval focused on positive thinking and self-esteem.

"I couldn't ask more from the players in the second half. After that great recovery, reaching the final of the FA Trophy would be the icing on the cake, a fitting end to my coaching spell at Floriana."

Floriana, winners of the FA Trophy 18 times in their history, had the better of Tarxien Rainbows (3-1), Senglea Athletics (4-0) and Msida St Joseph (2-0) on their way to the semi-finals of the FA Trophy.

As one of the four seeded teams, Sliema's first appearance in the competition came at the quarter-final stage last month when they saw off Marsaxlokk 2-0.

Sliema have won the FA Trophy a record 19 times.

Results this season - Sliema W. vs Floriana 1-0, 0-0.